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Al Qaeda urges killing of U.S. government representatives across Muslim lands

Egyptian authorities have charged seven Coptic Christians living in the United States and a Florida pastor with insulting Islam and inciting sectarian strife for their alleged links to an online video that has enraged much of the Muslim world.

Egypt's public prosecutor announced the charges Tuesday, the latest development in the deadly backlash against the low-budget, amateurish 14-minute movie trailer produced privately in the United States and posted on YouTube.

The clip from "The Innocence of Muslims" mocks the Muslim Prophet Mohammed as a womanizer, child molester and killer.

"Innocence of Muslims" was an obscure Internet video until September 11, when rioters, seizing on it, breached the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Protesters also attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

The charges -- largely symbolic because the accused all live outside Egypt -- name alleged filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, who is identified by Egyptian officials as Elia Bassili.

Reports that Nakoula is a Coptic Christian have raised concern about a possible backlash against the minority religious group in Egypt, where tensions between Copts and Muslims have risen recently.

Egypt also charged Morris Sadek, who is believed to have posted the clip to YouTube.

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The Florida pastor charged is Terry Jones, who was allegedly contacted by the filmmaker to help promote the video. Jones sparked some protests in Muslim countries last year when he staged a trial of Islam at his church.

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The others accused were identified as Morcos Aziz; Fikri Zokloma, also known as Esmat Zokloma; Nabil Bissada; Nahed Metwali; and Nader Nicola. Aside from Nakoula, who lives in California, and Jones in Florida, it was not clear where the others live in the United States.

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In addition to charges of insulting the Islamic religion, insulting Mohammed and inciting sectarian strife, all eight are charged with harming national unity and spreading false information, according to Adel Saaed, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

Egyptian authorities added the names to their airport watch list.

Prosecutors said they will ask the international police agency, Interpol, to add the names to its wanted lists. U.S. authorities would also be contacted, according to prosecutors.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide 157 photos

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide157 photos

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Pakistani demonstrators beat an effigy of Florida pastor Terry Jones during a protest against an anti-Islam film in Lahore on Monday, September 24. More than 50 people have died around the world in violence linked to protests against the low-budget movie, which mocks Islam and the Prophet Mohammed, since the first demonstrations erupted on September 11. See more of CNN's best photography.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Philippine Muslims gather coins they collected from the provinces to be used to pay for filing a petition before the Philippine Supreme Court in Manila on Monday asking for local authorities to ban the controversial "Innocence of Muslims" film from being posted on the Internet. Hundreds of Muslim protesters in the Philippines called for a ban on the film before the U.S. Embassy.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – A woman speaks on a megaphone prior to filing a petiion before the Philippine Supreme Court in Manila on Monday.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Muslim protesters pray in Omonia Square in central Athens, Greece, during a demonstration on Sunday. Clashes broke out as Muslims staged a demonstration in the square, to be followed by a march to the U.S. Embassy, in protest of the film.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Protesters smashed the windows of a store during a demonstration in central Athens.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – A Kashmiri Muslim student participates in a protest march organized by a Muslim school on Saturday, September 22, against an independently produced anti-Islam film that has ignited anger in the Muslim world.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – A family in Kashmir watches as students protest on Saturday.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Protesters gather to demonstrate against a French magazine that published nude cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed outside the French Embassy in London on Friday.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Pakistani police detain a demonstrator in Lahore on Friday during a protest against the film "Innocence of Muslims."

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – A Pakistani demonstrator throws a tear gas shell toward riot police during a protest against an anti-Islam film in Islamabad on Friday, September 21. Angry demonstrators set fire to two movie theaters in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar as many braced for intensified protests Friday, officials said.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Malaysian Muslim demonstrators march toward the U.S. Embassy after a Friday mass prayer in Kuala Lumpur.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Protesters take part in a march in Benghazi, Libya, on Friday. The march was in support of democracy and against the Islamist militias that Washington blames for an attack on the U.S. consulate last week that killed four Americans including the ambassador.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Pakistani riot policemen hold back lawyers shouting anti-U.S. slogans as they attempt to reach the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday, September 19. More than 30 people have been killed around the world during more than a week of attacks and violent protests linked to a controversial film seen as insulting to the Prophet Mohammed.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – A Pakistani lawyer wraps a U.S. flag onto his shoe in Islamabad on Wednesday.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Police try to stop Pakistani lawyers crawling under a barrier as they try to reach the U.S. Embassy in the diplomatic enclave during a protest against an anti-Islam movie in Islamabad on Wednesday.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Pakistani Muslims shout anti-U.S. slogans during a protest against an anti-Islam movie in Karachi on Wednesday. The Pakistan government has declared Friday a national holiday in honor of the Prophet Mohammed and called for peaceful protests against the film.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Pakistani police stand guard on a blocked street in front of the U.S. Consulate during a protest in Lahore on Wednesday.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Pakistani activists of the hard line Sunni party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) offer prayers near the U.S. Consulate on Wednesday in Lahore.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Lebanese army soldiers secure the area around the French ambassador's residence in Beirut on Wednesday. France has ordered special security measures around its embassies and schools because of fears of a hostile reaction to a magazine's publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, the foreign ministry said.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Supporters of Hezbollah hold a picture depicting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and chant the slogan "God is Great" during a mass rally in Tyre, Lebanon, on Wednesday. Thousands of Lebanon's Hezbollah followers protested against the United States and France for a film and cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Members of Justice and Prosperous Party attend a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – An Indian Muslim student hits a burning effigy of U.S. President Barack Obama during a protest in Kolkata on Wednesday.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Masked Palestinians are seen during clashes with Israeli security forces in Shuafat refugee camp, Jerusalem, on Tuesday, September 18.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Indian Muslims burn an American flag with a picture of U.S. President Barack Obama as they protest against a U.S.-made anti-Islam film on Tuesday, September 18, near the U.S. Consulate in Chennai. About 5,000 people have gathered in front of the building. Google India has already blocked access to the film, which the government has condemned as "offensive."

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Pakistani Sunni Muslims march during a protest against the anti-Islam movie in Peshawar on Tuesday. Police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of more than 2,000 protesters trying to reach the U.S. Consulate in northwest Pakistan.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Palestinian protesters throw stones at Israeli security forces during clashes that erupted after a demonstration against an amateur anti-Islam film in Shuafat refugee camp, Jerusalem, on Tuesday. Hundreds of Palestinians protesting against the movie clashed with Israeli border police in East Jerusalem, hurling stones and firebombs at a checkpoint, the military and reporters said.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Kashmiri Muslim demonstrators shout anti-U.S. and Israeli slogans before a clash with Indian police during a protest and one-day strike called by several religious and political organizations in Srinagar on Tuesday.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Firefighters attempt to extinguish the flames in an Indian police vehicle as protesters clash with police during a protest and in Srinagar, Kashmir, on Tuesday.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – A Kashmiri Muslim boy jumps over a burning tire set up as a roadblock during Tuesday's demonstration Srinagar.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Kashmiri Muslims throw stones at Indian police during a protest on Tuesday in Srinagar.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah group march during a rally in southern Beirut to denounce the film mocking Islam on Monday, September 17. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who made a rare public appearance at the rally, has called for a week of protests across the country over the film, describing it as the "worst attack ever on Islam."

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Sunni Muslims burn a U.S. flag during a protest in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday. Protests entered their second week, with demonstrators taking to the streets in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Lebanon.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – Afghan riot police are reflected through a window during an anti-U.S. protest Monday in Kabul, Afghanistan. Protesters attacked police along a road leading to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – A protester hits a policeman with a pole in Sydney's central business district on Saturday, September 15. Anger over an anti-Islam video, "The Innocence of Muslims," spread to Australia on Saturday, and protesters took to the streets of the country's capital.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – A man assists a young protester after capsicum spray was used by police near the U.S. Consulate General in central Sydney on Saturday.

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Anti-U.S. demonstrations worldwide – A policeman, injured by protesters, is assisted by colleagues in central Sydney on Saturday.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – A Tunisian firefighter works inside a destroyed school building in the grounds of the American school in Tunis, Tunisia, on Saturday. Four people were killed and almost 50 injured in an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Tunis the day before by protesters angry over an anti-Islam film, the health ministry said.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – A burned bus sits in the grounds of the American school in Tunis on Saturday.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – A woman collects books from a classroom in the American school in Tunis on Saturday.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – Muslim protesters holding shoes and brooms shout anti-U.S. slogans on Saturday during a protest against the film they consider blasphemous to Islam near the U.S. Consulate-General in Chennai, India.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – Supporters of Islamic political party Jamaat-e-Islami shout slogans during a protest on Saturday in Khyber Agency, Pakistan. The Pakistani parliament passed a resolution on Thursday condemning "The Innocence of Muslims" and urged the U.S. to take appropriate action.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – Supporters of Islamic political party Jamaat-e-Islami shout slogans during a protest in Khyber Agency on Saturday.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – Pakistani Muslims burn a U.S. flag during a protest rally in Islamabad on Saturday. The Pakistani Taliban on Saturday issued a call to young Muslims worldwide and within the country to rise up against an anti-Islam movie.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – Mourners shout slogans during the funeral of a protester who was killed two days ago during clashes with security forces at the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, on Saturday . According to media reports, at least four people were killed when hundreds of Yemeni protesters stormed the embassy on Wednesday.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – Smoke billows from the burning German Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, as a policeman stands next to a man preparing to extinguish the fire caused by protesters the anti-Islam film. Around 5,000 protesters in the Sudanese capital stormed the embassies of Britain and Germany, which were torched and badly damaged.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – A Sudanese protester, right, takes off his clothes to show policemen that he is unarmed during a protest in Khartoum on Friday. Two protesters were killed as security forces used tear gas against thousands of demonstrators trying to approach the U.S. mission after storming the British and German embassies.

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Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide – A Jordanian protester holds an Islamic book near the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, on Friday. Hundreds of members of Jordanian Salafi Movement gathered after Friday noon prayers in protest of a controversial anti-Islam film.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Police stand guard near protesters near the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney on Saturday, September 15.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Protesters clash with police on a street in Sydney's central business district on Saturday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Indian policemen walk past smashed windows of the U.S. Consulate building, caused by a mob of demonstrators protesting against an anti-Islam film, in Chennai, India, on Friday, September 14.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Tunisian protesters try to storm the U.S. Embassy in Tunis on Friday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A Tunisian protester holds an Al-Qaeda affiliated flag amid the smoke coming from the tear gas fired by riot police outside the U.S. Embassy in Tunis on Friday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Yemeni riot policemen stand guard at a crossroad leading to the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa on Friday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Yemeni protesters burn a U.S. flag on a street leading to the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa on Friday, September 14.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Yemeni protesters shout during a demonstration near the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa on Friday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Yemeni protesters run for cover from tear gas fired by riot police in Sanaa on Friday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Jordanian protesters burn a U.S. flag near the U.S. Embassy in Amman on Friday.

Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Israeli police officers stand behind their shields during clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian protesters in a demonstration against an anti-Islam film in front of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Old City on Friday.

Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Pakistani soldiers hold back protesters attempting to reach the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad on Friday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – An Egyptian protester throws a tear gas canister toward riot police during clashes near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo on Friday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A Sudanese demonstrator burns a German flag after torching the German Embassy in Khartoum on Friday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Protesters throw stones toward riot police during clashes along a road leading to the U.S. Embassy near Tahrir Square in Cairo on Friday, September 14.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A riot police officer shouts a warning during clashes in Cairo on Friday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Protesters chant during a march to the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, on Thursday, September 13. One protester was killed in clashes when Yemeni security forces dispersed hundreds of demonstrators who gathered around and inside the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A protester shouts after sustaining injuries in a confrontation with riot police who fired tear gas outside the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa on Thursday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Protesters carry flags that read "There is no God but Allah, Mohammed is Allah's messenger" and chant during a protest in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Thursday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Palestinians protest the movie "Innocence of Muslims" in front of the Legislative Council in Gaza City on Thursday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Iranian demonstrators chant anti-American slogans during a demonstration on Thursday in front of the Swiss Embassy, which serves as the U.S. interests section in Iran, in Tehran.

Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Kuwaiti police stand guard as hundreds of demonstrators protest near the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City on Thursday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Arab-Israeli men wave green Islamic flags with the Muslim profession of belief: "There is no God but God and Mohammed is the prophet of God" during a protest in front of the U.S. Embassy on Thursday in Tel Aviv, Israel.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Egyptian protesters throw stones at riot police during clashes near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo on Thursday.

Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Iraqi protesters burn Israeli and U.S. flags during a protest Thursday. The U.S. ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, and three others were killed during a protest outside the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Tuesday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Egyptian protesters clash with riot police Thursday near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Iranians protest against a film mocking Islam near the Swiss Embassy in Tehran on Thursday. Up to 500 people chanted "Death to America!" and death to the director of the movie, which was made in the United States. The demonstration ended peacefully in two hours.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – An Egyptian protester throws a tear gas canister at riot police Thursday during clashes near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Police use tear gas on crowds protesting Thursday outside the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is seen in flames Tuesday, September 11.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A vehicle and the surrounding area are engulfed in flames after it was set on fire inside the compound on Tuesday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A protester reacts as the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is seen in flames Tuesday night.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Yemeni protesters gather around a fire Thursday during a demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Sanaa. Yemeni forces fired warning shots to disperse the thousands of protesters approaching the main gate of the mission.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Yemeni protesters try to break the security camera at the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa on Thursday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Egyptians shout slogans during a protest in front of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Egyptian protesters gather in front of the U.S. Embassy the morning after it was vandalized by protesters during a demonstration on Wednesday in Cairo.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Protesters shout outside the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia, on Wednesday, September 12.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A group of protesters attend a demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Tunis on Wednesday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A demonstrator walks on a U.S. flag during a Wednesday's demonstration at the U.S. Embassy in Tunis.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – People inspect the damage at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday, the day after four people were killed.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Egyptian demonstrators continue to stake out the U.S. Embassy in Cairo on Wednesday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Police confront protesters praying in front of the U.S. Embassy in Casablanca, Morocco, during a rally against the anti-Islam film on Wednesday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Moroccan women gather near the U.S. Embassy in Casablanca on Wednesday.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A Palestinian man holds a placard praising Islam's prophet Mohammed during a demonstration against the film on Wednesday in front of the United Nations headquarters in Gaza City.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Palestinian men burn the American flag during Wednesday's demonstration in Gaza City.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – A man waves his rifle as buildings and cars are engulfed in flames inside the U.S. Consulate compound in Benghazi, Libya, late on Tuesday, September 11.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is set on fire during a protest. Armed gunmen attacked the compound on Tuesday evening, clashing with Libyan security forces before the latter withdrew as they came under heavy fire.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Protesters destroy an American flag pulled down from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – People stand around a drawing that says "Remember your black day 11 September" during the protest in Cairo.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – People shout and light flares in front of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – People shout in front of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Protesters pull down a U.S. flag.

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Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – Thousands were angered by the controversial film.

Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings – An Egyptian protester waves a black flag inscribed with the Muslim profession of faith -- "There is no God but God, and Mohammed is the prophet of God" -- as he stands above the door of the U.S. Embassy.

Although Washington has made it clear that it did not sanction the film, a week of protests have rippled from Morocco to Malaysia, spurring U.S. officials to increase security at diplomatic missions and demand other governments to take action.

Sherif Doss, head of the Egyptian Coptic Association, said the accused Copts have created their own "cult-like" organization in the United States, have appointed their own minister and are "disregarding any church or religious norms."

Here are the latest key developments:

Call to kill Americans

As part of the fallout from the video, al Qaeda's affiliate in North Africa on Tuesday urged Muslims in the region to kill U.S. government representatives and called the death of Stevens a "gift."

"We encourage all Muslims to continue to demonstrate and escalate their protests ... and to kill their (American) ambassadors and representatives or to expel them to cleanse our land from their wickedness," said the statement from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

The group called last week's killing of Stevens "the best gift you (can) give to his arrogant and unjust administration."

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland reiterated the Obama administration's stance that video, which she called "reprehensible," was no justification for violence.

U.S. and Libyan officials have held a series of high-level meetings to "assess what went wrong" in Benghazi, a senior Libyan official said Tuesday. Some of the U.S. officials had flown in for the meetings, which included security experts.

Following the attack, Libya suspected an increase in U.S. drone activity over eastern portions of the country and were worried the Obama administration would take military action because of domestic political considerations, the official told CNN. Mohamed al-Magariaf, newly elected president of Libya's parliament, spoke with the White House "to contain the situation," the official said.

The official said the government urged the Americans to work together "in full partnership" because any military action during this "fragile and sensitive situation" would give "an excuse" to the two main threats to the state: extremists and loyalists to the deposed Gadhafi regime.

The official expressed concern with the deteriorating regional picture.

"They (the United States) are losing Egypt, if they lose Libya ... they and we cannot afford to lose our partnership."

CNN correspondent Brianna Keilar pressed the White House on Tuesday on whether the Libya attack was planned or spontaneous.

"We saw no evidence to back up claims by others that this was a preplanned or premeditated attack," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "But there is a lot that is under investigation here, and as more facts come to light, if they change that assessment, we'll make that clear."

Libya has taken steps to arrest those responsible for last week's deadly consulate attack, bringing in dozens for questioning over the weekend, Libyan officials said.

The exact number of arrests was unclear. One Libyan official said those arrested included suspects from Mali and Algeria as well as al Qaeda sympathizers.

A man who allowed his studio to be used for 10 days for the making of "Innocence of Muslims" said he was misled by the person behind the film.

Joseph Nassralla, president of Media for Christ, based in Southern California, said the ensuing controversy over the anti-Islam film brought him death threats and forced him into hiding.

In a statement, Nassralla criticized Nakoula, the alleged filmmaker.

Nakoula told him he was making a movie about Christian persecution that "would examine the culture of the desert and how it is related to what is going on right now," said Nassralla.

"Nakoula altered the film without anyone's knowledge, changing its entire focus and dubbing in new dialogue ..." said Nassralla, who who also runs a satellite TV station in Los Angeles. "The final product ... bore no resemblance to the film I thought he was making, or the film the actors thought they were creating. We were shocked."

Nakoula denied that he made the film, according to Bishop Serapion, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, citing a phone conversation with him last week. At a news conference Monday, the Coptic leader condemned violence by protesters which, he said, "only serves to continue the hate."

Nassralla said his interest is calling attention to "bloody persecution of the Copts." He said his only involvement in the finished film was allowing use of his facilities.

Nassralla's statement was provided to CNN by blogger Pamela Geller, who posted it on her website after receiving it from Nassralla. Geller is author of "Stop the Islamization of America."

Suicide attacks in Afghanistan

Taliban-allied insurgent groups claimed responsibility for two suicide attacks that killed 13 people, including eight South Africans, in Afghanistan. The first attack was a response to the film, one of the groups said.

Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin, a group allied with the Taliban, said a 22-year-old woman drove a car packed with 660 pounds (300 kilograms) of explosives into a van on a road leading to Kabul International Airport.

Eleven others were wounded in the attack, the Afghan Interior Ministry said.

In Kunar province, the Taliban claimed responsibility for a suicide attack that killed an Afghan civilian and wounded four people, including three International Security Assistance Force troops, according to Wasifullah Wasifi, a spokesman for the provincial governor's office.

State Department spokeswoman Nuland on Tuesday described the first Afghan attack as "piling on."

"We are seeing a lot of extremist activity trying to exploit the sentiments from this video to gin up folks to violence and try to use that as an excuse for things that might otherwise have been planned for their otherwise rejectionist agendas," Nuland said. "So, that is very concerning, this sort of spoiler, pile-on agenda that is happening now."

The escalating tensions have spilled into NATO military operations in the central Asia nation, prompting the alliance to order its troops to adjust joint operations with Afghan security forces to minimize attacks on them by their local allies.

"Recent events outside of and inside Afghanistan related to the 'Innocence of Muslims' video plus the conduct of recent insider attacks have given cause for ISAF troops to exercise increased vigilance and carefully review all activities and interactions with the local population," a spokeswoman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force said. The operations with Afghan forces could increase as the "threat level" goes down, she said.

More protests

• About 100 demonstrators gathered Tuesday near a U.S. diplomatic facility in Medan, Indonesia, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta reported on its website. Indonesian authorities were deploying about 150 police officers to the Medan protest and adding security outside the U.S. facility in Jakarta, although no protests were taking place there, the embassy said.

• In Indian-administered Kashmir, a general strike flared, shutting down businesses, public transport and most government operations, with reports of sporadic violence. A coalition of religious parties and separatist groups called the strike as a protest against the video.

• In Thailand, a peaceful crowd protested in heavy rain in front of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok for about 90 minutes Tuesday, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported. No violence was reported, the newspaper said.

U.S. officials were aware of the planned protest and made plans to close the building to the public and send home nonessential personnel, the embassy said on its website.

• In Iran, students at universities staged protest rallies Tuesday against the film and the United States. They chanted "Death to the U.S." and "Death to Israel," the semiofficial Fars News Agency reported.

A testy exchange erupted between Sen. John McCain and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey during the latter's testimony about September's deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.